If you work as a locum vet or veterinary nurse in the UK, your RCVS registration is the foundation of your professional practice. Without it, you cannot legally treat animals, prescribe medication, or perform surgery. Understanding how registration works, what your obligations are, and how to stay compliant is essential for every veterinary professional — and particularly important for locums who manage their own careers independently.
This guide covers everything you need to know about RCVS registration as a locum, from initial registration through to ongoing compliance requirements.
What Is the RCVS?
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons is the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses in the United Kingdom. Established by Royal Charter in 1844, the RCVS is responsible for setting and upholding standards of veterinary education, professional conduct, and clinical practice.
For veterinary professionals, the RCVS serves several critical functions:
- Maintaining the Register — the official list of individuals authorised to practise veterinary medicine or veterinary nursing in the UK
- Setting professional standards — the Code of Professional Conduct that governs how veterinary professionals must behave
- Investigating complaints — handling concerns about the professional conduct or fitness to practise of registered individuals
- Accrediting education — ensuring veterinary degrees and nursing qualifications meet required standards
Whether you work as a permanent employee or a locum vet, registration with the RCVS is a legal requirement.
Registration Categories
The RCVS maintains separate registers for veterinary surgeons and registered veterinary nurses, each with distinct categories.
Veterinary Surgeons
To practise as a veterinary surgeon in the UK, you must hold a registrable veterinary degree and be entered on the RCVS Register of Veterinary Surgeons. The main registration categories are:
- Full Registration — for UK and EU/EEA-qualified vets with recognised degrees. This is the standard category for most practising vets.
- Temporary Registration — available in limited circumstances, such as for overseas-qualified vets undertaking supervised practice
- Provisional Registration — for new graduates during their initial post-qualification period
For locum vets, full registration with a current practising certificate is the standard requirement. Practices booking locums should always verify that the individual holds full registration.
Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs)
Veterinary nurses who have completed an RCVS-accredited qualification are eligible to join the Register of Veterinary Nurses. The title "Registered Veterinary Nurse" is a protected title — only those on the RCVS register may use it.
Registration categories for nurses include:
- Full Registration — for qualified veterinary nurses who have passed their RCVS examinations
- Provisional Registration — for student veterinary nurses during their training
Locum veterinary nurses must hold full registration to work independently in practice.
The Practising Certificate
Registration alone is not enough to practise. Both veterinary surgeons and registered veterinary nurses must also hold a valid practising certificate, which is renewed annually.
What It Covers
The practising certificate confirms that a registered individual:
- Has paid their annual renewal fee
- Has declared their intention to practise veterinary medicine or veterinary nursing
- Has met their continuing professional development (CPD) obligations
- Has appropriate professional indemnity insurance (for vets)
Annual Renewal
The RCVS renewal period runs from 1 April to 31 March each year. During renewal, you must:
- Pay the annual fee — the renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is currently around 400 pounds, and for registered veterinary nurses around 100 pounds (check the RCVS website for current figures)
- Declare your practising status — confirm whether you intend to practise in the coming year
- Confirm your CPD record — declare that you have met (or are on track to meet) the minimum CPD requirements
- Confirm PI insurance — vets must confirm they hold professional indemnity insurance
Non-Practising Status
If you are not currently practising — for example, during a career break, parental leave, or while working outside the UK — you can choose to remain on the register in a non-practising category at a reduced fee. However, you cannot undertake any clinical work while in non-practising status.
For locums, this distinction is important. If you take an extended break from locum work, make sure your practising certificate is reinstated before you accept any bookings. Working without a valid practising certificate is a serious regulatory breach.
CPD Obligations
Continuing professional development is a mandatory requirement for all practising veterinary professionals. The RCVS sets minimum CPD standards to ensure that vets and nurses maintain and develop their professional knowledge and skills throughout their careers.
Requirements for Veterinary Surgeons
Veterinary surgeons must complete a minimum of 35 hours of CPD per year. The RCVS moved to an outcomes-based model in 2016, which means the focus is on what you learn and how it improves your practice, rather than simply accumulating hours.
Your CPD should include a mix of:
- Learning activities — courses, conferences, webinars, reading journals
- Reflection — thinking about what you have learned and how it applies to your work
- Application — putting new knowledge into practice
Requirements for Veterinary Nurses
Registered veterinary nurses must complete a minimum of 35 hours of CPD per year (previously 45 hours over three years, now aligned with vets).
Recording and Compliance
The RCVS requires professionals to maintain a CPD record, and it audits a random sample of registrants each year. If you are selected for audit, you will need to provide evidence of your CPD activities.
For locums, maintaining a CPD record requires discipline since you do not have an employer organising training for you. Many locums use a combination of:
- Online CPD — webinars, e-learning modules, and virtual conferences
- In-person events — conferences such as BSAVA Congress, London Vet Show, and regional CPD meetings
- Self-directed learning — journal reading, case reflection, peer discussion
- Clinical audit — reviewing your own cases and outcomes
Keep your CPD record up to date throughout the year rather than trying to reconstruct it at renewal time. The RCVS Professional Development Record (PDR) is the official online tool for logging your activities.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Professional indemnity (PI) insurance is closely linked to RCVS registration requirements, though the obligations differ for vets and nurses.
For Veterinary Surgeons — Mandatory
The RCVS requires all practising veterinary surgeons to hold adequate professional indemnity insurance. This has been a mandatory requirement since 2013 and must be confirmed at each annual renewal.
PI insurance covers the costs of defending clinical negligence claims and any resulting compensation. As a locum vet, you are responsible for arranging your own PI insurance since you do not have an employer's policy to fall back on.
Key considerations when choosing PI insurance:
- Level of cover — ensure the indemnity limit is adequate for your work. Most providers offer cover starting at one million pounds, with higher limits available.
- Run-off cover — this protects you against claims made after your policy ends, relating to work done while you were insured. This is particularly relevant if you change insurer or stop practising.
- Scope of activities — check that your policy covers all the types of work you undertake, including any out-of-hours or emergency work.
Several specialist providers offer PI insurance for veterinary professionals, including the Veterinary Defence Society (VDS).
For Veterinary Nurses — Recommended but Not Mandatory
Professional indemnity insurance is not currently a mandatory RCVS requirement for registered veterinary nurses. However, it is strongly recommended, and many practices require it as a condition of engagement.
As a locum nurse, having your own PI cover provides an extra layer of protection and demonstrates professionalism to the practices you work with.
What Happens if Your Registration Lapses
Allowing your RCVS registration or practising certificate to lapse has serious consequences.
You Cannot Practise
The most immediate impact is that you cannot legally undertake any veterinary work. For locums, this means you cannot accept or fulfil any bookings. Any work undertaken without valid registration constitutes a criminal offence under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (for vets) or risks regulatory action (for nurses).
Restoration Process
If your registration lapses, you will need to apply for restoration to the register. This typically involves:
- Paying any outstanding fees plus a restoration fee
- Providing evidence that you have maintained your CPD
- In some cases, undertaking a period of supervised practice before returning to independent work
Impact on Bookings and Reputation
From a practical standpoint, a lapsed registration means cancelled bookings, lost income, and potential damage to your professional reputation. Practices that discover a locum's registration has lapsed are unlikely to book them again.
The simplest approach is to set a reminder well before the annual renewal deadline (31 March) and ensure your renewal is completed promptly.
How Fetch Verifies RCVS Registration
On Fetch, RCVS verification is a core part of the locum onboarding process. Here is how it works:
During Registration
When a locum signs up on Fetch, they are asked to provide their seven-digit RCVS registration number as part of the verification process. This is one of four verification steps, alongside identity verification, document uploads, and professional details.
What Gets Checked
Fetch verifies the RCVS number against the RCVS public register to confirm:
- The number is valid and corresponds to a registered individual
- The registrant's name matches the locum's profile
- The individual holds a current practising certificate
Ongoing Compliance
Verification is not a one-time event. Because practising certificates are renewed annually, the status of a locum's registration can change. Practices should always feel confident that the locums they book are properly registered and insured.
What This Means for Practices
When you book a locum through Fetch, you can see their verification status on their profile. Verified locums have had their RCVS registration, identity documents, right to work, and (for vets) professional indemnity insurance checked. This removes a significant administrative burden from practice managers who would otherwise need to verify these details manually for every locum they engage.
For more on what practices should look for when booking locums, see our practice manager's guide to locum cover.
Common Compliance Questions
Can I work as a locum with provisional registration?
Provisionally registered vets (typically new graduates) can work under supervision but are not normally suitable for locum roles, which require independent practice. You should hold full registration before working as a locum.
I qualified outside the UK. Can I register as a locum?
Overseas-qualified vets can apply for RCVS registration, but the process depends on where you qualified. Graduates from EU/EEA veterinary schools with recognised qualifications may be eligible for full registration. Graduates from other countries typically need to pass the RCVS Statutory Membership Examination. Check the RCVS website for the most current guidance on overseas registration.
Do I need to tell the RCVS I am working as a locum?
You do not need to declare your employment status to the RCVS specifically. However, as a self-employed locum, you are personally responsible for ensuring you meet all registration requirements, including CPD, insurance, and annual renewal. There is no employer to manage this on your behalf.
What if I want to take a break from locum work?
If you are taking a short break (a few weeks or months), you can keep your full registration and practising certificate active. For longer breaks, you may wish to move to non-practising status to reduce your fees. Remember that you must reinstate your practising certificate before accepting any bookings when you return.
How do I check if another professional is registered?
The RCVS maintains a public register that is searchable online. You can look up any veterinary surgeon or registered veterinary nurse by name or registration number to check their current status.
Staying on Top of Your Registration
Managing your RCVS registration is a straightforward but important part of working as a locum. Here are some practical tips:
- Set calendar reminders for the annual renewal deadline well in advance
- Log CPD activities as you go rather than trying to reconstruct records later
- Keep your PI insurance renewal date noted alongside your RCVS renewal
- Update your contact details with the RCVS promptly if you move or change your email
- Check the RCVS website periodically for any changes to requirements or fees
- Keep digital copies of your practising certificate, PI insurance certificate, and CPD record in an easily accessible location
Getting Started with Fetch
If you are a locum vet or veterinary nurse looking for shifts, Fetch makes the process straightforward. Our verification process checks your RCVS registration, identity, right to work, and professional indemnity insurance so that practices can book you with confidence.
For more information on finding locum work in the UK, see our guide on how to find locum vet shifts, or learn about current UK locum pay rates.
Create your free locum profile on Fetch and start finding shifts today.